Family’s abuse
history reviewed

No reports of neglect came
from the home of a military
family before a girl's death

State Child Welfare Services officials are looking into whether any reports of abuse or neglect were reported in the weeks before the death of 5-year-old Talia Emoni Williams.

Williams died on arrival at Wahiawa General Hospital last Saturday. Emergency personnel called to her home at the Wheeler Army base found her unresponsive and with bruises over her body.

The city medical examiner later determined she died of "inflicted head trauma due to battered child syndrome."

The child's stepmother, Delilah S. Williams, 21, is in federal custody, charged earlier this week with first-degree murder for causing Talia's death "as part of a pattern and practice of assault and torture."

Talia's father, Naeem Williams, is in a Pearl Harbor brig while military officials investigate and has not been formally charged.

The couple's 4-month-old child was placed in the care of a foster family.

Before the 4-month-old daughter was placed into state custody on Tuesday, there was no reports of abuse or neglect coming out of the Williamses' home, said Derick Dahilig, Department of Human Services spokesman.

"We're having workers looking into whether reports or complaints were filed, because on our end we never received them," he said.

The state and the military have an agreement that requires the military to report any suspected incidents of abuse involving children of military families, he said.

Delilah Williams had contacted military officials on several occasions about "family issues," but the military did not respond, said Alexander Silvert, her assistant federal defender. He declined to say what those issues were.

Silvert said he is concerned that his client is being deprived of a fair trial because of unproved information related to the case being leaked to the public.

"Hopefully, the public and the press would refrain from rushing to judgment before the criminal justice system runs its course," he said.

As for the 4-month-old, Child Welfare Services officials want to make sure she is in a home that is safe, Dahilig said.